£8.7m bid accepted: Mehdi Benatia is a Gunner?

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Juventus are open to letting Medhi Benatia leave during the January transfer window with Arsenal and Fulham among the clubs interested in his services. The 31-year-old defender has made just five Serie A performances for Juve this season as he is behind the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Daniele Rugani in the pecking order. Maurizio Sarri reveals how Chelsea players reacted to his criticism after Arsenal defeat Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting that the Morocco international will be allowed to leave as early as January although there is also interest in Benatia from outside of the Premier League. Clubs in China, Qatar and the UAE are also thought to be pursuing the defender’s signature this month.

Sky Sports Italia report that an offer of 10 million euros (£8.7m) has been lodged by Qatari club Al-Duhail and Juventus are considering the bid. It appears that it would be an offer in this region that would be enough to bring in the former Bayern Munich and Roma man. Benatia has made it clear that he wants more game time, saying in December: ‘I have to keep holding my head up, because a lion never dies. ‘I want to play more.’

Any move for Benatia could depend on Juventus finding cover for him, even if it is short-term until the summer. Fulham are looking to strengthen the leakiest defence in the Premier League, having conceded 51 goals in just 23 league games this season. Arsenal have also shown significant defensive frailties, letting in 32 goals so far in the Premier League this campaign, one more than who are in 17th position.